Mount Etna sparks fresh flight chaos for British tourists to Italy - as local authorities increase alert level

Published: 11:13 EDT, 29 September 2026 | Updated: 11:14 EDT, 29 September 2026 Tourists have been warned about travelling to Sicily after volcanic activity has been reported from Mount Etna again.The UK's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) updated its guidance yesterday, September 28, for Italy. It now mentions how local authorities have increased the alert level for the natural landmark. 'Due to volcanic activity, the local authorities have increased the alert level for Mount Etna,' the FCDO website states under 'warnings and insurance'.'In the event of a volcanic eruption, follow the advice of local authorities. Read information about volcanoes.'Arrivals and departures into Catania airport may be cancelled, delayed or re-routed to Palermo or Comiso.'Mount Etna, in Sicily, has caused chaos again after a spurt of volcanic activity Local authorities have increased the alert level for the natural landmark to 'yellow'It continues: 'If you are travelling to or from Catania, check with your travel provider or Catania airport.'The Foreign Office does not advise against travelling to Italy overall.At the moment, the alert level for Etna is yellow, according to the Italian Civil Protection Department. Catania Airport has been forced to cancel multiple flights today after the volcanic activity from Etna. At the time of writing, there are many departures cancelled from the hub, including ones to Manchester, Rome and Venice. According to The Sun, the airport said: 'All flight operations have been suspended until 3pm today, Tuesday, 29 September.'Passengers are kindly requested to check the status of their flight with their airline before travelling to the airport.'The airport reopened this morning temporarily after closing briefly but has since had to divert or cancel some flights. It experienced disruption on Saturday too after ash entered the airspace. Catania Airport has been forced to cancel multiple flights today after the volcanic activity from EtnaCatania Airport is Sicily's main gateway and Italy's fifth-busiest airport by passenger traffic.Airlines operating flights between Catania and the UK include British Airways, easyJet, Ryanair and Wizz Air. Catania Airport was forced to suspend flights last month after ash emissions from Mount Etna caused issues, affecting British holidaymakers on the island. Authorities extended airspace restrictions after a wave of volcanic ash, following on from six days of ash emissions from the island's volcano.Airport operator SAC said air traffic would remain suspended until August 13 afternoon, after aviation authorities prolonged the closure of the affected sector of airspace around eastern Sicily.It was also forced to temporarily shut down two weeks ago after volcanic ash was spewed out of Mount Etna again.